| Found a baby squirrel and want to know what to do? First and foremost try to reunite the baby and momma. Just because you don't see the momma doesn't mean she isn't watching. Many times people mean well and think the baby has been abandoned so they take the baby in not realizing that momma is still around waiting to get her baby back. How to reunite You should take a box and put some fleece or old t-shirts in it to keep the baby warm. If it is a little chilly out you can also put some uncooked rice or beans in a sock and microwave it for about a minute. Make sure to knead the sock a little to avoid any extremely hot spots in it. You don't want to burn the baby. Put a shirt over the sock and put the baby in the box next to it. Try to secure the box as high as you can in a the tree where the baby was found. Make sure that you are able to watch from a distance so that no predators will take the baby. Momma most likely won't come by if anything (including you) is too close. This can take several minutes or hours. If it is close to night time bring the baby inside and try to reunite in the morning. It is a myth that momma squirrels won't take their babies back if they smell human on them. If reuniting fails Occasionally a mother squirrel won't come back because she may have been killed by a predator, scared off by a predator or has just plain rejected the baby. If this happens you will need to find a local rehabber. This link should help you: http://www.wildliferehabinfo.org/ Do not take the baby to a vet if you live in a state that is not squirrel friendly!!!! They will put it down. You will need to keep the baby warm while you find a rehabber. You can either use the sock/ rice method above or use a heating pad with a non auto shut off switch. If you have a plastic sterilite container or one of those tupperware ones you can put some air holes in it and put the baby inside with some fleece. Put the heating pad under half of the container so the baby can crawl off to one side if it gets too warm. Make sure to secure the lid and keep the baby in a dark quiet place. Keep the baby away from pets and children! Although it will be tempting to cuddle and play with the baby it is best to just let it get warm and not stress it out. Remember that just a little while ago it was safe with it's mother and now it's world has been turned upside down. Do not go to the pet store and buy puppy or kitten formula. They can cause diarrhea in the little one and actually kill it! Never use scalded cows milk! The best chance for this baby is for you to find a rehabber. Although you will be tempted to take care of this baby yourself I urge you against this. Not only is this illegal in most states but you will be in for a lot more than you bargained for. Squirrels make poor pets, are extremely high maintenance and require specific diets to keep them from developing a painful deadly disease known as metabollic bone disease. I urge you to take the baby to a rehabber ASAP. Please be aware that if the baby you have found has been bitten by a cat or dog it will need medical attention ASAP. Cat's mouths have a lot of bacteria in them and it is very deadly to squirrels! We are not rehabbers or vets and this page is not intended to diagnose or treat little ones. This is simply a reference on what to do until you can find a professional rehabber. |
| Check out these cool links for squirrels: Check out a very special squirrel friend of ours, Winkelhimer Smith The Painting Squirrel http://paintingsquirrel.wordpress.com/ http://www.facebook.com/winkelthesquirrel For excellent nutrition, rehab supplies, gifts, habitats and much more visit squirrelstore.com: http://www.squirrelstore.com/site/744999/ For seeds and nuts you can't beat Nuts Online's prices, customer service or fast shipping!!! nuts.com For pics & other info check out: Wonderful Squirrels |
| For more info on squirrels or help finding a rehabber please check out these links: Squirrel Central Tina's Legacy Squirrel Rescue & Rehab Lovely Lita's Sheltering Tree Foundation Wildlife Rehabbers Find a rehabber by state: http://www.wildliferehabinfo.org/ Mother Natures Rescue Lakeland, Florida http://mothernaturesrescue.webs.com/ 2nd Hand Ranch & Rescue Princeton, Illinois http://www.2ndhandranch.com/ Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Kendalia, TX http://www.wildlife-rescue.org/ Coast & Canyon Wildlife Mailbu, California http://coastandcanyonwildlife.org/ Western Arkansas' wayward critter connection https://www.facebook.com/ArkansasCritterConnection |
Paws Animal Wildlife Sanctuary, Inc. South Carolina http://www.paws-sc.com/ California Wildlife Center http://www.cawildlife.org/ Fox Valley Wildlife Center http://www.foxvalleywildlife.org/ Rainbow Wildlife Rescue Weatherford, TX http://www.rainbowwildlife.com/donations.html Squirrelmender Wildlife Rehabilitation Southern California www.squirrelmender.com Adrienne Wolf Hillsboro Ohio- orphaned squirrels[all kinds] chipmunks, groundhogs, eastern cottontails,& w/ info & support for other orphaned mammals-937-661-5284. Will call back asap. Black & Belews Wildlife Rehab Stokesdale, North Carolina Contact Info Phone (336) 491-3567 Email rebecca.craig5@gmail.com Kathy Burtness North San Diego County 760-443-3843 Wildlife Welfare Raleigh, NC https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeWelfare?fref=ts Fellow Mortals Inc. W4632 Palmer Road Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 53147 Phone: (262) 248-5055 http://fellowmortals.org/ |
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